Amidst a flurry of controversies surrounding FBI Director Kash Patel, including allegations of erratic behavior, a different side of him has emerged from his past as a youth hockey coach. Known to many as 'Coach Kash,' Patel's dedication to the sport has been highlighted by those who knew him on the ice.
A Chance Encounter at the Gym
Clark Mowrey, a former acquaintance, told CNN about a decade-old encounter at a gym in Washington, D.C., where he spotted Patel wearing a Hartford Whalers shirt. The two struck up a conversation, and Mowrey learned that Patel, then a Department of Justice employee, was deeply passionate about hockey. Mowrey recalled asking Patel if he would coach his son's team. Despite Patel's busy schedule and the unpaid nature of the role, he never missed a practice or a game, often arriving at the rink in his work suit.
"The kids kind of fell in love with him, and he was always there and always available," Mowrey said. He added that his son still texts Patel monthly, and other former players, now in their 20s, often discuss their coach. "They get filtered down versions of news and stuff and they’re like, ‘Is Kash doing okay? Because we heard this or we saw this person saying these things about him,’" Mowrey said. "Other than the ugly stuff that’s out there, the kids know that his core values and his moral fibers are always on point."
From DOJ to Coaching More
After leaving the Justice Department in 2017, Patel became an aide for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, then led by Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA). During this time, he took on more hockey coaching responsibilities, volunteering as an assistant coach for a youth recreational team composed of students from Woodrow Wilson High School (now Jackson-Reed) in Northwest Washington.
A former player described Patel as "more like a bro," noting that at the time, the team was unaware of his close ties to Donald Trump. When Patel began appearing on Fox News and hosting his own segment, the players were surprised, as hockey was the primary topic of their conversations.
Recent Controversies Surrounding Patel
Patel's tenure as FBI director has been clouded by several controversies, including the following recent incidents:
- Allegations of Alcoholism: The Atlantic published a report alleging that Patel was an alcoholic and often drunk on the job. In response, Patel filed a $250 million lawsuit against the publication.
- Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed: A federal judge in Texas dismissed Patel's defamation lawsuit against Frank Figliuzzi, who had commented on air that Patel spent more time at nightclubs. The court ruled that the statement was not literal.
- Security for Girlfriend: A report claimed that the FBI investigated a journalist who reported that Patel's girlfriend, singer Alexis Wilkins, was receiving 24/7 protection. Patel denied the claim, stating that the same reporter had "delivered a baseless story which caused a direct threat-of-life to my girlfriend."
Despite these controversies, those who know Patel from his hockey coaching days remember him as a dedicated and principled individual, committed to the sport and the young players he mentored.
